Emma Ashford

Emma Ashford is a columnist at Foreign Policy and senior fellow with the Stimson Center’s Reimagining U.S. Grand Strategy Program. She is also an adjunct assistant professor at Georgetown University and the author of Oil, the State, and War.

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Articles by Emma Ashford
Supporters look on as U.S. President Donald Trump attends a roundtable discussion at the AC Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, on April 16.
Supporters look on as U.S. President Donald Trump attends a roundtable discussion at the AC Hotel in Las Vegas, Nevada, on April 16.

The Iran War Is Tearing Trump’s Coalition Apart

Analysis
Emma Ashford
As Steve Witkoff looks on, President Donald Trump speaks during the Republican Members Issues Conference in Miami, Florida, on March 9.
As Steve Witkoff looks on, President Donald Trump speaks during the Republican Members Issues Conference in Miami, Florida, on March 9.

America’s Problem With Diplomacy Predates Trump This article has an audio recording

Analysis
Emma Ashford
President Donald Trump speaks at the National Day of Prayer ceremony at the White House in Washington on May 3, 2018.
President Donald Trump speaks at the National Day of Prayer ceremony at the White House in Washington on May 3, 2018.

The War in Iran Is a Strategic Blunder

Analysis
Emma Ashford
An illustration shows two bicyclists with EU and US flags working together to fly a globe balloon.
An illustration shows two bicyclists with EU and US flags working together to fly a globe balloon.

A Better Trans-Atlantic Relationship Is Entirely Possible This article has an audio recording

Essay
Emma Ashford
People march during a rally calling for the Trump administration not to go to war with Iran, in New York City.
People march during a rally calling for the Trump administration not to go to war with Iran, in New York City.

Trump Is Betraying His Base By Waging War on Iran This article has an audio recording

Argument
Emma Ashford
A black and white headshot of Donald Trump looking at a man in glasses at left.
A black and white headshot of Donald Trump looking at a man in glasses at left.

Arms Control Was Once Trump’s Signature Issue This article has an audio recording

Analysis
Emma Ashford
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Jan. 16.
Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing on Jan. 16.

How Realistic Is Carney’s Call to Action? This article has an audio recording

Analysis
Emma Ashford
From right: U.S. President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth monitor U.S. military operations in Venezuela from Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, on Jan. 3.
From right: U.S. President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth monitor U.S. military operations in Venezuela from Trump's Mar-a-Lago resort in Palm Beach, Florida, on Jan. 3.

Venezuela Might Be Where Trump’s Luck Runs Out This article has an audio recording

Argument
Emma Ashford
U.S. President Donald Trump with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and U.S. Secretary of Treasury Scott Bassent while meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on Nov. 18.
U.S. President Donald Trump with U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and U.S. Secretary of Treasury Scott Bassent while meeting with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington on Nov. 18.

Trump Should Stick to His Guns on Venezuela

Argument
Emma Ashford, Evan Cooper
U.S. President Donald Trump walks from the Maine One presidential helicopter to Air Force One on Sept. 22.
U.S. President Donald Trump walks from the Maine One presidential helicopter to Air Force One on Sept. 22.

Trump’s Russia-Ukraine Peace Plan Is a Step Forward

Argument
Emma Ashford
us-restraint-realism-europe-military-withdrawal-mark-harris-illustration
us-restraint-realism-europe-military-withdrawal-mark-harris-illustration

Passing the Baton in Europe

Excerpt
Emma Ashford
Traditional Russian wooden nesting dolls depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump are displayed for sale at a gift shop on Arbat street in downtown Moscow on Aug. 13.
Traditional Russian wooden nesting dolls depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump are displayed for sale at a gift shop on Arbat street in downtown Moscow on Aug. 13.

The Trump-Putin Summit Could Actually Be Helpful This article has an audio recording

Analysis
Emma Ashford
Samuel Zbogar, the head of the Slovenian mission to the United Nations Security Council, speaks to the press alongside other U.N. representatives ahead of a Security Council emergency meeting on Gaza at the U.N. headquarters in New York on Aug. 10.
Samuel Zbogar, the head of the Slovenian mission to the United Nations Security Council, speaks to the press alongside other U.N. representatives ahead of a Security Council emergency meeting on Gaza at the U.N. headquarters in New York on Aug. 10.

What Was the Tipping Point on Gaza?

Analysis
Emma Ashford
An illustration shows Donald Trump's face on a historical drawing of Andrew Jackson astride a horse. A hand tips a hat. Trump's face smirks and looks to the side.
An illustration shows Donald Trump's face on a historical drawing of Andrew Jackson astride a horse. A hand tips a hat. Trump's face smirks and looks to the side.

If Trump Is Neither Hawk nor Dove, What Is He?

Argument
Emma Ashford
U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff speaks as U.S. President Donald Trump looks on, May 28, 2025.
U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff speaks as U.S. President Donald Trump looks on, May 28, 2025.

Trump Lacks the Patience for Peace

Argument
Emma Ashford
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